MOON WALK PACK
DUNE
"What do you mean you can't find her?" I yell, punching my fist into the wall.
Fuck, this can't be true.
"It's exactly what it sounds like, Alpha." The bounty hunter sighs, digging a tooth pick into his bottom row.
"Can't find her anywhere in the city. Her roommate is hysterical."
I scratch my jaw impatiently. I'd even thought sending the bounty hunter was overkill.
I was sure she was still powerless- because the alternative would mean my ruin.
No, I'm sure she's still powerless, just a little smarter maybe?
One things for sure, as good as that spell was she can't be supressed forever.
The clock is ticking.
I massage my temples, i really fucking wish I'd never underestimated her.
"Find her, whatever it takes" i tell him.
He chews on his toothpick thoughtfully for a second.
I'm trying really damn hard not to let my desperation show. Guess that's not workiing.
"It's gonna run you a little extra-"
"Just do it." I tell him.
He smirks and the scar across his face tightens.
"Sure thing, Alpha."
****
BLOOD MOON PACK
ANITA
I close my hand around the door handle like i'm stuck in a trance.
That's sounds horrible. Like whoever it is is being skinned alive.
"There you are!" I turn, and it's Rumi, smiling nervously.
"I didn't mean to disappear, i just- i heard screams and i thought..." i trail off, looking at my feet.
"It's fine, Ani" she grabs me by my shoulders and steers me away.
" Trust me, you don't want to go down there."
She hands me a wrapped sandwich which i tear into as we step outside.
Mhmm, daylight. Sweet daylight.
As we stroll down a winding path, i can't help but appreciate the beauty of this place.
The pack members are all bustling around, each going about their own day with a sense of ease and contentment.
The contrast with my old pack is jarring.
The people here are happy and clearly, they have nothing to fear.
Meanwhile, the moon walk pack is run like a dictatorship.
After my mum died, my dad changed.
There were stories of course, of what losing one's mate could do to ones soul.
The havoc it could wreak on one's mind.
I'd seen that happen to my dad in real time.
He became harsh, irritable. Pack members were given grave punishment for the slightest offences.
He was never the same again.
Considering how feared Anthony and Asher are by other packs i kinda thought theirs would be the same.
I'm pleasantly surprised.
We walk past a house with a gorgeous front garden.
"Hey Lucy, how's it going? "Rumi calls.
The woman stands and i see that she's heavily pregnant.
She's gorgeous. But i suppose most supernaturals are.
It's one of our tells.
She walks over to us with a glint in her eyes.
"Hi Rue, just getting a little work done while I'm feeling up to it" she smoothes her palm over her bulging belly.
"This is-"
"Oh, i know who she is." Lucy smiles at me.
"You do?" I ask, furrowing my brows.
"Of course i do. You're going to be our new Luna and i pride myself in making pack business my business. My mate is the beta."
"Well- i haven't even accepted the mating bond and i don't know if I'm going to." I whisper the last part.
"You will." Lucy says, so sure.
"What's holding you back? " Rumi asks.
"I mean, i have my life back in the city and i don't even know them!"
And maybe you don't deserve to be loved. Something whispers.
"You could though." Lucy winks.
"I could what?" I ask.
"You could know them honey. If you opened your mind to it. If you trusted the bond."
There's that statement again.
Trust in the mating bond. Mabel's voice echoes in my mind.
"Well, thanks for the advice. But i think i should get going now." I smile tightly as i grab Rue's hand and we begin walking back towards the pack house.
"Bye Lu!" Rumi calls back.
"Hey, Anita." Lucy calls.
I stop walking but i don't turn back.
"I think we're going to be very good friends."
I say nothing and continue walking.
Yeah, i don't think so, i don't plan on staying.
****
Rumi introduces me to a few more people on our walk by.
They're all very nice, overly welcoming. I resist the urge to tell them I'm not staying.
"You guys are really big on the old traditions here huh?" I ask Rumi.
She worries her bottom lip as she thinks about how to answer me.
"I mean, i guess we are. Why?"
I shrug. "Everyone seems so excited about my mating bond. I just don't get it."
"I know, you were...a rogue before you got here. But you didn't believe in the bond back in your old pack?"
"It's not that. I guess we did but not as seriously as you guys do. Meeting your mate is rare you know." I say.
"Dosen't hurt to dream though." Rumi winks and changes the topic.
I can't shake the feeling that there's more to it.
I scan the perimeter. Should be pretty easy to sneak out later.
A part of me wants to stay though. I feel at ease here, accepted.
If i'm being brutally honest with myself i don't have much going on for me back in the city apart from Emma.
No job. One friend and constant paranoia. I'm terrified Dune and Shelenda are going to find out I'm still alive.
I'd be safe here, my mates would protect me.
My mates.
The house comes into view and for the first time i notice the huge tree to the left of it.
It's canopy is huge, stretching wide, roots digging in to the ground.
A strange energy pulses in me, getting stronger the closer we get.
I feel electric. The current flows from my head to my fingertips to my toes. My eyes feel hot.
Rumi dosen't notice, she's skipping ahead of me.
I clench my fists.
"Rumi, what is that thing? "I point to the tree.
She turns back to look at me, face serious.
"That, is arbre du coeur- the heart tree."